Preface

1: Basics

Orbits

Formation flying

Safety tethers

Artificial gravity

Probe towing

Comet and asteroid sample return

Aerobraking

Artificial gravity assist

Momentum exchange

Cable catapults

Electrodynamic tethers

Electrostatic tethers

Beanstalks

2: Disruptive Technology

New machines

Rocket propulsion limits and limitations

Electric propulsion

Solar sailing

Another way forward

3: Dreams And Ideas

Visions of the future

Fiction and fascination

4: Early Experiments

Gemini 11

Gemini 12

Suborbital

Space shuttle experiments

Satellite experiments

Still learning

5: Into Earth Orbit And Beyond

De-orbiting

Spacecraft stabilization

Atmospheric research

Let's stay together

Gravity in space

One up, one down

From the ground up

Tether propulsion

Jupiter

Cleaning up the belts

6: Space Elevators

Who wants a space elevator?

Building a beanstalk

12,000,000th floor: space

Out of order

Step by step

Elevators on the Moon and Mars

Aerovator alternative

Space elevator versus the aerovator

7: Challenges

Cable material

Tether stability and control

Damage protection

Price tag

8: Conclusion

More to read

Bibliography

Books and reports

Papers, articles, and presentations

Webpages

Index.